Central African Republic (CAR) is setting its sights on a historic achievement this weekend as it seeks to secure its first qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). Currently occupying the second spot in their group, CAR is just one point behind group leaders Ghana and two points ahead of Angola, whom they will face on Saturday.
CAR’s experienced Swiss coach, Raoul Savoy, is confident in his players’ ability to handle the pressure. In an interview with the BBC, he expressed his belief that the team, consisting of dedicated professionals, will approach the crucial game with composure.
“We are not nervous. The squad consists of professionals, and we understand the significance of this match,” Savoy stated. “We have discussed it extensively, and our coaching staff has worked to alleviate any nervousness within the camp. While some players may feel fear and others may be excited, we will manage each player individually. They have all prepared for this game with utmost responsibility.”
CAR came tantalizingly close to qualifying for Afcon in 2012 when they caused a major upset by defeating Egypt. However, they were subsequently eliminated in the second qualifying round by Burkina Faso after a two-legged match. The team’s hopes were dashed once again in 2021 when they missed out on qualification following a defeat to Mauritania in their final group game.
Savoy attributed CAR’s recent progress to a rebuilding process that began two years ago. The team underwent significant changes, including the integration of young local players. A turning point came with their remarkable 1-0 victory over Nigeria in Lagos, which instilled confidence and reinforced the belief that continuous hard work, supported by the Federation and the sports minister, could yield positive results.
CAR’s qualification campaign started with a defeat to Angola, but they managed a draw against group favorites Ghana and secured two victories over Madagascar. These results have placed Savoy’s side on the verge of reaching the finals in Ivory Coast next year, requiring three points from their remaining two games.
“We know exactly what needs to be done. It’s not the final game as we still have another one against Ghana in September, so we have a second chance,” Savoy explained.
Coaching CAR presents unique challenges for Savoy, who possesses extensive experience working in various African countries such as Ethiopia, Swaziland, and Gambia. Notably, every game for CAR is treated as an away fixture due to the absence of a suitable venue within the country. The upcoming match against Angola will be held in Douala, Cameroon.
Aware of the enthusiasm from CAR’s passionate fans, Savoy acknowledged the support pouring in for the team. Despite not playing on home soil, he remains confident that the people of Bangui, the capital, will rally behind their team by tuning in to watch the game on television.
The return of CAR’s star player, Geoffrey Kondogbia, further bolsters the team’s chances of qualifying for the finals. Kondogbia, a defensive midfielder who plays for Atletico Madrid in Spain, made his CAR debut in 2018 after switching his international allegiance from France. Although he briefly retired from international football last year, he has rejoined the national team as captain.
“He came back with great excitement. I love his attitude and how he interacts with the younger players. They are thrilled to play alongside him,” Savoy remarked about Kondogbia’s return. “He is open-minded and encourages dialogue, which elevates the performance of his teammates. Having such a player on our team is undoubtedly positive.”
Regarding the game against Angola, Savoy believes that the opposition will experience greater nervousness at the start. He emphasized the importance of CAR demonstrating strength from the outset, aiming to unsettle Angola and make their intentions clear.
“Our goal is to make them uncomfortable early in the game and show our determination to win and qualify on Saturday evening,” Savoy declared. “Our mindset is not to settle for a draw.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Africa Cup of Nations qualification
Q: What is the significance of Central African Republic’s upcoming match in the Africa Cup of Nations?
A: The upcoming match holds great significance for Central African Republic as they aim to secure their first qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations. A successful outcome would mark a historic achievement for the team.
Q: Who is the coach of the Central African Republic team?
A: The coach of the Central African Republic team is Raoul Savoy, a Swiss coach with experience in coaching African national teams such as Ethiopia, Swaziland, and Gambia.
Q: How does Central African Republic’s current position in the group standings impact their qualification chances?
A: Central African Republic currently occupies the second spot in their group, just one point behind the group leaders Ghana. Their position puts them in a favorable position to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, with two qualifying games remaining.
Q: Has Central African Republic come close to qualifying for the tournament in the past?
A: Yes, Central African Republic has come close to qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations in the past. In 2012, they caused a major upset by defeating Egypt but were eliminated in the second qualifying round by Burkina Faso. They also missed out on qualification in 2021 after losing their final group game to Mauritania.
Q: What impact does playing all their games as away fixtures have on Central African Republic’s performance?
A: Central African Republic faces the unique challenge of playing all their games as away fixtures due to the absence of a suitable venue within their country. This places additional demands on the team, but they have shown resilience and adaptability throughout their qualification campaign.
Q: Who is the key player for Central African Republic’s qualification hopes?
A: Geoffrey Kondogbia, a defensive midfielder who plays for Atletico Madrid in Spain, is a key player for Central African Republic. His return to the team after a brief retirement provides a significant boost to their chances of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations.
More about Africa Cup of Nations qualification
- Africa Cup of Nations Official Website
- Central African Republic Football Federation
- Raoul Savoy – Wikipedia
- Africa Cup of Nations – Wikipedia
- Atletico Madrid Official Website
- FIFA – Central African Republic National Team
8 comments
it’s amazin how far central african republic has come. they came so close in 2012, hope they qualify this time. good luck les fauves!
this is gonna be a nail-biting match for CAR. angola will b nervous. CAR needs a strong start. no settlin for a draw. go for the win!
central african republic coach raoul savoy sounds confident. he knws his players can handle the pressure. go CAR!
didn’t knw every game for CAR is an away game. tough situation for them. hope they manage it well. fingers crossed for their qualification.
go CAR! hope their fans cheer them on from home. even though it’s an away game, they’ll hav their eyes glued to the TV screens. #CARfansunited
welcome back kondogbia! he’s a game-changer for central african republic. his return will boost their chances. excited to see him in action.
interesting to see how central african republic’s qualification campaign has progressed. defeats, draws, and wins. they’re on the brink of history!
wow! central african republic goin for the big time! hope they make it 2 africa cup of nations. really cool 2 c underdog teams doin well.